Knicker making workshop with Flo Jo Fancy Pants

Sunday 5th February and the snow fell in Somerset, however nothing stopped 3 of our lovely ladies from making their way to the first Knicker making workshop at the Wells shop. Erica from  "Flo Jo Fancy Pants" travelled from Bristol to teach our group how to make their own beautiful knickers.

They all picked their fabric from Millie Moon, to match with the beautiful trims that Erica had brought with her. Elasticated lace trims in every colour were pulled from her bag. Girlie Tanya Whelan Rosie dot Pink, Retro blue stripes and Colourful Kaffe Fassett, all very different fabrics to match the ladies different personalities. Ruth, Sue and Patricia worked very hard only stopping to drink tea and eat Homemade carrot cake muffins. 

All ladies were very happy with their finished knickers, beautiful cottons, lace, ribbons and bows. A very girlie morning.  The next Knicker workshop is in the Frome shop on Saturday 24th March. The kits are available to buy in both shops.

A big thank you to Erica and Flo Jo Fancy Pants for a lovely morning. 

Yummy projects by Angie Somerville

Hello its Angela here,

Well this week I bumped into Angie Sommerville (a familiar face to the Millie Moon team) and whilst having a good natter Angie showed me some pictures of the projects she had been up to. I was so impressed I had to share with all.

The cushion is a dresden plate design that Angie has taken from a Cath Kidston book. She has made it into a cushion rather than a bag which is featured in the book. Its so lovely, I want one. The quilt Angie has produced ( so so beautiful ) will most definitely keep her toasty over this February freeze; has been made using stash fabrics from Angie's ever increasing selection of Millie Moon fabrics and left overs from the quilting course that she did with Caroline. Don't know about you but definitely makes me want to make a quilt, very inspiring, thank you Angie.

Come visit us in store to show off your projects, the Millie Moon team love to nosey over whats keeping you creative and smiling.

Sewing Club reminder

Just a short post to remind you all that it will be Sewing Club at the Frome branch of Millie Moon on Tuesday (7th February) evening from 6 to 8. Bring something to work on, or pick up supplies on the night!
Hope to see you there.

Happy New Year 2012!

We had our first Sewing Club of the New Year on Tuesday night, and it was super to catch up with everyone's crafty progress over the Christmas break. We hope that you found some time for making over the holidays as well.

This beautiful pink fabric is destined to become a cushion.

Sewing Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Frome shop, from 18.00 to 20.00, and there's tea, coffee and biscuits. It's great to catch up with what everyone has been up to, and there are always lots of people around to give advice and opinions if you need another pair of eyes on a project.

This lovely turquoise fabric is going to be a skirt.

I didn't end up doing much sewing myself, but instead did lots of chatting and browsing of the new Little Bits Quilting Bee book that I got for Christmas.

Getting ahead for next year?!

Caroline was working on some Christmas tree decorations ready for next year (that's scarily organised, isn't it?!). And there were some beautiful fabrics being sewn together ready to make a border for a quilt top.

Beautiful combinations of pinks, greys and aquas.

We do hope that you will join as at a Sewing Club in the future. Next month it will be on Tuesday 7th February. Hope to see you there!

New arrivals!

There are few new arrivals in the shops that we thought you might like to see...
First up are these delightful prints from Riley Blake:

The combination of orange, blues and browns is fresh, and would be perfect for any number of sewing projects for little (or big!) people.

Secondly, we are now stocking these delightful blue, white and red print fabrics from Westfalenstoffe:

I have the perfect quilt design in my head for these - they have a beautiful Scandinavian feel to them.

And last but by no means least, we are now stocking a range of the hugely popular Colette dress and blouse patterns:

If you read any sewing blogs, then you are bound to have seen some of these beautiful patterns made into gorgeous dresses. Here are a few of my favourite examples of finished Rooibos dresses:
Lladybird
Gertie's
Ruby Slippers

If you would like to get your hands on any of these items, then do call the shop (01373 464650). Did you know that you can now leave details of gifts you would like to receive? The perfect answer if your friends and family aren't sure what you might like! Just ask in store to add some items to our gift list book.

Freemotion Machine Embroidery

Hi! It's Angela here. I would love to tell you a bit about my Freemotion Machine Embroidery classes. Let me tell you a little about a class I recently ran...

Freemotion Machine Embroidery is a technique where you use the sewing machine to draw - the needle and thread act like a pencil and you can produce some exciting and unique work. Alternatively, it's a way to add your creative touch to finish off your projects. It's only once you begin to experiment and practise with freemotion embroidery will you become confident. Don't expect perfection! It's generally the wobbly lines and imperfections that make the work stand out.

We begin the class by attaching the embroidery foot and setting up the machine. The clever thing about this technique is that you generally have everything you need already. Once that is done, we dive right in with different techniques to build your confidence and control over machine. You are also shown techinques on how to 'colour in', how to sketch and follow intricate designs. Once you are happy with the techniques, we use them to build your own picture design.

In this particular class, we had a range of abilities and ages, who used the technique in diverse ways - to build a picture, to create text and to apply surface pattern. I was very impressed at how quickly everyone adjusted to the technique and also their enthusiasim for it - some even worked through lunch!!


The next Beginner's Freemotion Machine Embroidery class is on Sunday 22nd Jan 2012 from 10.30am to 3pm and costs £55 including materials. Do call the Frome shop if you would like to book a place in a class (01373 464650).

Rosie was really pleased with her finished owl!

Introducing... Becki Noble

Becki will be well known to most regular customers of Millie Moon. She co-owns the shops with her sister Rachel. It has taken us a little while, but we've tracked Becki down, and interrogated her. Read on to find out more...


1) How did you learn to sew?
I have always been crafty (I think I came out the womb with a glue stick in my hand!), but I can't really remember when I started stitching. Whilst doing my art foundation course, I realised it could be more than just a guilty secret thanks to a very enthusiastic tutor, who persuaded me to do a fashion degree. (Much to my parents' horror I think, though they never said. I wanted to be a sensible teacher before that!)

Becki really enjoys cross stitching.

2) What sorts of things do you like to make?
I love projects that I can do in an afternoon. If they take too long, I get bored and something else comes along that I have to do right away. My home is full of unfinished projects that I have to make myself finish when I run out of space. I have recently re-found my love for dressmaking, due to our lovely tutor Anne, but again it has to be quick and simple. I must admit that I have a passion for cross stitch. I love the fact I can pick it up and put it down, but again it's got to be small pieces. On a recent romantic trip to London, my husband was shocked to find me get it out on the train (the cross stitch that is!) and very quickly pretended not to know me! I'm not very good at photographing anything, which I must start doing, so can I have a camera for Christmas, please Santa?


3) What gadget could you not live without having?
I don't really have a favourite sewing gadget or supply, I am not terribly loyal to anything as I don't look after my tools. They tend to be scattered around the house, which I know is bad. I do love a good magazine, but read so many I wouldn't know where to start. I guess I would be lost without an unpicker and my daughter's critical eye. She always gets it right when I can't decide.


4) Who or what inspires you to create?
I am really into the whole Scandinavian look at the moment and keep stroking the pile of classic Westfalenstoffe fat quarters that I have got from the new range that has just arrived in the shop. I have a terrible habit of not being able to cut my latest fabric purchase, as no project is ever good enough for them! Until the next bundle comes along that is!


Thanks so much for talking to us Becki! We look forward to seeing you in the shop soon.